Discovery School Earns STEM School Status

Discovery School, a Murfreesboro City School, was named a Tennessee Designated STEM School during the STEM Innovation Summit in Nashville. Discovery was one of only eleven schools to receive this designation in 2019. This honor was developed with the guidance of the Tennessee Department of Education and the STEM Leadership Council to identify and recognize schools in their commitment to teaching STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and integrating strategies that ultimately prepare for success in the 21st century.

“I am delighted about Discovery School receiving this well-deserved honor. The school is engaged in experiential, real-world learning, with full connections across content areas, linking today’s STEM learning to tomorrow’s workforce,” says Dr. Linda Gilbert, Director of Schools.

The Tennessee STEM School Designation denotes that a school meets the highest standards of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) instruction and is a model for schools across the state. The designation was developed to provide a “roadmap” for schools to successfully implement a STEM education plan at the local level. All K–12 schools serving students in Tennessee are eligible.

STEM education is a unique approach to teaching and learning that fosters creativity and innovative thinking in all students. STEM is focused on building critical and creative thinking and analysis skills by addressing how students view and experience the world around them.

“I’m extremely proud of our school and the team that led this application process,” says Kristina Maddux, Principal. “This designation affirms the diligent work of our educators and students.”

Strong STEM teaching and learning opportunities rest on inquiry, technology, and project-based learning activities and lessons that are tied to the real world. It is a diverse, interdisciplinary curriculum where activities in one class complement those in other classes.

The Discovery STEM team is led by Principal Kristina Maddux, Assistant Principal Sia Phillips and teacher leaders Karen Cook, Kimberly Kahle, Amy London, Kristy Mall, Elizabeth Shepherd, Kelly Holman, and April Greene along with parents Scott Campbell and Kathie Elfersy.

The Tennessee State Board of Education also recognized Discovery School in 2018 as a National Blue Ribbon School. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content.

Discovery School, founded in 2005, was created to serve high achieving students. Discovery is one of thirteen Murfreesboro City Schools and the second MCS school to receive the Tennessee STEM Designation.